Initial reports suggested WEC 49 could take place on June 20 at the Stampede Corral in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, though WEC officials declined to confirm the event. A source close to the show said the event is not official and that a date and venue are still being finalized.

If signed, the fight will likely take place on the televised portion of WEC 49.

The promotion struck a new broadcast deal this past December to air at least seven 2010 events with Canadian sports channel The Score. Events air stateside on the Versus channel.

The 22-year-old Chris Horodecki fell short in his promotional debut at WEC 45 this past December when Anthony Njokuani knocked him out with a head kick as he turned his back to reset his range.

Horodecki sat on the bench for 14 months after the IFL’s fall but returned to action this past June with a submission win over William Sriyapai at the “Ultimate Chaos” event in Mississippi.

Ratcliff, 27, fought in a knockdown, drag-out scrap with Donald Cerrone in the main draw of WEC 45. He won “Fight of the Night” honors despite a third-round submission loss. Prior to the setback, the karate stylist defeated Phil Cardella by unanimous decision at WEC 42.

MMAjunkie.com reported in January that WEC officials are targeting a summer debut in Canada. WEC vice president Peter Dropick specifically pointed to Calgary, which is Alberta’s largest city with nearly 1 million residents, as the likely destination.

The WEC holds its 48th event and first-ever pay-per-view broadcast on April 24 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. The promotion, which was purchased by the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s parent company in late 2006, has never ventured outside of the U.S., though WEC officials previously stated both Canada and Mexico are likely areas for future expansion. Dropick said the WEC planned to target Calgary this year because the UFC planned to host shows in Montreal and Vancouver.

It was initially thought that WEC 47 headliners Brian Bowles and Dominick Cruz and co-headliners Miguel Torres and Joseph Benavidez could be ready to fight again come June, but both Bowles and new champ Cruz could be delayed by hand injuries suffered in their March 6 title fight. Torres, meanwhile, suffered a deep laceration in his loss to Benavidez and has been suspended indefinitely by the Ohio State Athletic Commission pending doctor’s clearance.